Presumed to be awesome.

I have LOTS of things I want to talk to y'all about today, like some fic pet-peeves, and how Lady Gaga is making me eye-roll so hard it's starting to hurt, and Cheeks' hilarious remix of her new single, and the Grammys, and how ridiculously HOT Adam looked at the Grammys, and the new (wet & shirtless!) pictures of Darren. Yeah, lots of things, that I'll get to later today.

First, though, let me tell you about all the amazing things I've been learning...from drag queens. I've been watching RuPaul's Drag Race this season, because Sutan Amrull, Adam's amazing make-up artist, also known as Raja, is competing. Raja is fabulous and I'm thoroughly enjoying the show. I wasn't expecting, however, all the valuable life wisdom there was to glean from beautiful drag queens! Seriously, y'all. These queens are amazing and have a thing or two to teach the world about being fierce and fabulous and courageous and authentic and funny. And, yeah, I'm a little bit in love with all of them. *g*

One of the things that Rupaul does in every episode is he reminds the girls that "If you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?" This is TRUFAX, people. True fucking facts.

And last night, as I was up all night, again, hacking up a lung and basically not being able to BREATHE (ugh. I'm so OVER being sick!), I thought about that and realized that I haven't been doing a very good job of loving myself lately. Admittedly, it's ~challenging to feel love for yourself, for your body, when it feels as if it's betrayed you by throwing out the welcome mat for every germ and virus that comes knocking at the door.

But that's the thing, right? Love, all love including self-love, is forged and made a real and solid and lasting thing, not by its expression when it's easy, but by what it does and says when it's NOT easy to love.

So, today, I'm going to work on loving myself better. *nods* This will be my Valentine's to myself. <333

( This is how I'm going to start.... )

Happy Valentine's Day to MEEEEEEE!!!! <333

And, you know, if anyone would like to join me in a self-love orgy (mmmm...sounds dirty! *g*) in the comments, please feel free to do that! Tell me three things you love about you, three awesome things about yourself, and three ways you're going to love yourself this week! Let's make it a lovefest!!! Because in the immortal words of RuPaul, if you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love someone else? *mwah*

Ok, so just in case you've been living under a cozy rock for the past two years, let me just say that this job market truly sucks big, hairy, sweaty monkey balls. I've pretty much resigned my self to the fact that this situation is highly unlikely to change until after the first of the year. Even the few firms and companies that were hiring have put any of those efforts on hold through the holidays. So, what this means, other than the fact that my bank account is going to be a bleak wasteland for a while, is that I have a hell of a lot of time on my hands. And, quite frankly, this having nothing to do business is driving me INSANE! Seriously, I'm going nuts!

So, for the sake of my sanity and because y'all love me, I need your help! Suggestions, ideas, plans, projects! Give 'em to me!!! I've already contacted my local Pride office to volunteer, but they're sort of slow too until after the holidays. Other volunteer suggestions? Project ideas? Hobbies? TV shows to watch? Books to read? Origami instructions? OMG, anything!!! *desperate*

*deep breaths*

Ok, despite the above, or maybe because of the above, I'm really working on this whole "stay positive" mindset. Sparkling harder, and all that. So, here are some happy, sparkly things about my Wednesday.

✶ I decided to get back on track with the Take Better Care of Me Plan, so I got in touch with my trainer and we have an appointment for him to kick my ass a workout tomorrow morning! Also, I few months ago my SIL dropped my scale and broke it, and since I didn't have a scale, my mind somehow translated that into permission to not be accountable for my nutritional decisions at all. Not good, brain, not good at all! But, I've now replaced my scale and, as of today, I'm again journaling my nutritional intake. Accountability FTW!!!

✶ I was going to warn for TMI on this one, but, who am I kidding? This is me we're talking about! Anyway, I decided to treat myself to a new vibrator today! What??? This is totally a better plan for feeling better about my life than that half gallon of chunky chocolate chip ice cream in the freezer! Taking Better Care of Me Plan, indeed! *g*

✶ I'm making plans to go see the Scissor Sisters' show in Atlanta at The Tabernacle next April! I really want to see them and they aren't doing any solo shows near me, and a group of East Coast friends were planning on going, and I'm totes doing this as a show of faith that this whole job situation will be resolved in awesome fashion by that time! *nods* So, anyone want to come with? *bats eyelashes*

✶ Adam's Acoustic Live EP drops on December 6th!!! *flails* I'm SO happy that we're getting an acoustic version of Aftermath!!! And Soaked!!! Also, ( the cover is ridiculously awesome!!! )

World Cup: What the hell is that annoying buzzing noise??? I drives me insane! No, like, really, I will go on a murderous rampage if I have to continue listening to that brain piercing droning. So, unless I want to cut my soccer fannishness short only 2 days into World Cup play, I think I'll have to start making prodigious use of the mute button. But in less grumptastic World Cup musings, dear gods, Tim Howard, thank you for gracing my television screen with your unbelievable hotness today. You can definitely stay. *g*

Reading: I'm reading Josh Lanyon's "The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks." I continue to love his characters like Dean loves pie! They are quirky and insightful and smart and interesting and flawed and just completely CHARMING!

Feathers: In addition to several gorgeous feather necklaces and hair accessories, made by the lovely and talented Chantala, I now also have a completely fabulous blue and black feather boa! *laughs* It is both awesome and ridiculous! I now need someplace equally awesome and ridiculous to wear said feather boa!

Workout: My trainer kicked my ass today and I'll probably be terribly sore tomorrow, but for now I just feel the good kinda tired.

That about covers my Saturday. It's been relaxing and lovely. Just as Saturdays should be.

Let's talk about ME! *beams*

First, work has been kickin' my butt, but despite the months of 10-12 hour days, I'm still feeling fairly positive about it. Yeah, I don't even know. But I'm having FUN doing my job again and that's pretty awesome.

Second, in case y'all didn't know this, I ROCK! *g* That's true for a lot of reasons, but at the moment I'm referring to me rockin' the Take Better Care of Me Plan that is still going fantastically, if imperfectly, well. Not only have I been eating mindfully and journaling all my food for over 2 1/2 months, but I've also managed to lose 27 pounds. I could definitely be more consistent with the exercise portion of the Take Better Care of Me Plan, but I'm working on it and, more importantly, I'm not beating myself up over the imperfections. So, um, GO ME!!! \o/

Third, I've been making some summer travel plans and other plans for Fun Things To Do this summer, and I'm super excited for what's ahead!

( Summer Fun )

And, here are some other fabulously sparkly tidbits for our Friday:

>> Russell Crowe and his Merry Men singing Beautiful Girls:



This brightened my whole day yesterday! And, to make it even more fantastic, according to his Twitter, they repeated this performance on the Spanish Steps in Rome later that day! *loves and loves* Can we get those damn TOFOG dates now!

>> Photos from the set of Adam Lambert's music video shoot for If I Had You where he invited all of his magical friends to take part in the all night party a la Burning Man video. Cheeks! Cassidy! Alisan! Rahab! And practically all the Zodiac cast! Eeee!!! So many fabulous people! I cannot wait to see this video!

>> Meet Adam and do good! Charity auction of an Adam Lambert concert and meet & greet to benefit City of Hope. I'm SO tempted!

Glee!!!!!! Last night's episode was fabulous! Is Idina Menzel's character going to be recurring? Because that would be sort of awesome. I am SO looking forward to next week's Madonna episode though! And even though I loved last night's Glee, my favorite part was the last four minutes. This is fantastic!!!



Oh, man, Sue Silvester is my favorite snarktastic, fabulously fierce bitch ever!!!!!

So, um, yeah, I guess I'm all aboard the Glee train after all. You can probably ignore all earlier comments about me not being able to get into it. *sheepish*

This probably means that I should get me some Glee icons. Does anyone have Glee icon finding suggestions for me?

I watched more T.V. last night that I normally do, because there was no way I was going to miss Adam on American Idol. Adam's advice was spot on. Unfortunately, too many of the contestants didn't listen to him. The performances were flat, uninspired, BORING. I was unimpressed. BUT, Adam was pretty! So there was that. And, I'm pretty sure Ryan Seacrest was high. Seriously, WTF was that??? Adam though!!! Yeah, I think I'll just keep focusing on the positive. *g* And tonight he performs! As Rhyan says, "MORE A-LAM!" *beams*

You know what else? Hot baseball players!!! I kinda really like hot baseball players! I bet y'all didn't even know that about me, right? *g* And while I'm by no means a Dodgers' fan, I do appreciate the hot boys in Dodger blue. GQ did a piece on Matt Kemp and, dear gods, that boy is lookin' good. *bites lip*



And how is it that I didn't know he had such delicious ink on his arms??? Good gods, I hope Rihanna is appreciating the hell outa that! ( Here, have some more of Matt's smokin' hot arms! )

Also, while we're on the topic of baseball, I'm expecting my boys to pick it up in Chavez Ravine tonight. Yesterday's performance was just unacceptable. Please do be doing better, boys.

And this has absolutely nothing to do with anything else in this post (which I think is a running theme here!), but I thought it expressed really well my perspective on health and weight loss and my Take Care of Me focus: My Relationship With Food: A Reflection of Self.

So, anyone know where the hell this week went? I've been trying to get myself organized, get a few old projects wrapped up, get a plan in place for tackling some of the other things coming up; you know, generally start the year off on the right foot. But somehow the week has been swallowed up in the craziness of just doing what it takes to barely keep on top of everything. Gah! I need another week before we get 2010 truly underway!

To add a little chaos on top of the craziness, my brother, sister-in-law, and nieces moved in this past weekend. Eventually I'm sure we'll settle into a routine and some degree of organization, but right now it's just INSANE.

Although I'll hopefully soon be too busy to be caught up in the chaos of home, as I'm planning to get back to Nia next week and will also be starting some dance fitness classes at this awesome studio that I've been wanting to try for a while. Go me!!! I'm also starting the process for joining the faculty at the University of Phoenix as an adjunct professor in their criminal justice program. I think this will be a perfect way to start building up my resume on the teaching front, while still being flexible enough not to interfere with my desire to continue having a LIFE. So, you know, win/win!!! \o/

ION, Das Tekno finally got his pictures from the Lady Gaga concert in L.A. last month up. ( And here's the picture of me and Das before the show! )

And, because there is never a bad time for pretty, nearly naked boys, here's Cassidy Haley's latest picture:




Goddamn the boy is pretty! This gorgeous boy is going to be gracing J's Living Room of Acoustic Awesomeness in just a few weeks! Y'all are very welcome. *g*

So, someone (*cough*azewewish*cough*) wanted me to post about something other than Adam Lambert. Seriously. What is wrong with some people? *shakes head*

Apparently, "LIFE IS GOOD," lacked sufficient details to be considered a substantive post. I thought it was both accurate and succinct. But, whatever. Here, for my friends who are less entranced by the shiny boy than I am, are some of the accompanying details:

:: Work is still going really, really well. Three months in and I'm still firmly convinced that this was the right move for me. Bossman is giving me a ton of responsibility and, based on what he's said, is really wanting me to take a prominent role in the growth and sustainability of the practice. We've just launched a new marketing campaign featuring yours truly and the other senior attorney in the office. What's really cool is that we're the only firm in the Valley who features female attorneys in our marketing. I'm really proud of this.

:: A huge factor in the LIFE IS GOOD situation is that I can definitively say that right now I have the best work/life balance that I've ever had since I started practicing law. I cannot begin to tell you how AWESOME that is! Definitely a big part of what I was going for when I chose "harmony" as my word for this year.

:: The Trainer is still regularly kicking my ass, and I sort of love it. The boxing is SO cathartic, and, now that I think about it, probably a factor in the great sense of balance I'm enjoying right now. I'm still looking to add in some dance or some regularity with Nia into my routine, but, one step at a time, you know? Also on the health and wellness front, I decided I needed a little more mindfulness in my nutritional choices, so I rejoined Weight Watchers -- two weeks and 4 pounds down! Go me!

:: The summer is at the miserably hot stage around here (I am SO over 115 degree days), but at least it's moving quickly. July is almost over. Geesh! When did that happen??? August is going to be a whirlwind. I'm heading to L.A. mid-August for a birthday weekend with my L.A. girls and then some vacay time with my family in San Diego. The following weekend hewet_ka_ptah will be here for some birthday celebrations. And then the weekend after that...well, let's just say that there are some glittery shenanigans afoot and I'm ridiculously excited about it! *g* Labor Day weekend (technically September, but it feels like part of the whirlwind), I'm heading back to L.A. to catch NIN in concert. Eeee!!! So many Good Times ahead! In between all that, I've got a birthday, a trial to prepare for, several family things planned, and, you know, LIFE to attend to. Whew. That's a crazy month coming up!

:: Since this is the extended Life is Good post, we shall not speak of The Boy, who flaked like a bad case of dandruff. Whatever, man. You gotta bring a helluva lot more than he seemed to have in order to keep my interest. Moving on. Life IS good, after all. *g*

:: We're also not going to speak of the RAGE that I feel over the D'backs' Faux Manager's decision to start Miguel Montero instead of Chris Snyder behind the plate. What the ever loving fuck??? Sure, Miguel's had a hot streak at bat, but, call me crazy, but isn't it kind of important for your catcher to be able to make the throw to second? Or call a smart game so that your depleted pitching staff doesn't run up its pitch count in less than six innings? Or, you know, have ANY defensive value at all? Argh! I, just...RAGE!!!!!

*deep breaths* Life is good, life is good, life is good.... Ok. That's better.

So, now that y'all got some of the deets, I wanna know what's good in your life too! Share with me, bbs!

Also, I'd like to point out that there is no mention of one Glittery Alien from the Planet Fierce in this post. You happy now, azewewish? :P

This week has been busier than expected. How is it Wednesday already??? In the interest of, well, of me apparently not having enough time for a proper post, this will just be a quick list updatey-thing.

1. We've had a swine flu exposure at work. One of my co-workers was out of town this weekend at a wedding and one of her fellow bridesmaids was diagnosed on Monday with swine flu instead of the wicked hangover she assumed she was suffering from. So now the office is on "swine flu alert." FYI: paper masks are not attractive!

2. I'm attending a criminal defense seminar for the next three days. On the one hand, this is excellent timing as I get to escape the swine flu germs at the office! On the other, three days of legal seminars can potentially induce lethal levels of boredom. Ugh.

3. Due to aforementioned boredom, I coerced hewet_ka_ptah into getting a Twitter account so that she could entertain me. Sadly, she failed at being adequately entertaining today. I am optimistic, though, that she will step up tomorrow and amuse me. If, however, she again falls short, I thankfully have Adam Lambert who is always shiny and awesome! (Adam on Twitter! *glee*)

4. Speaking of His Awesomeness, a picspam of his freckley fabulousness is still in the works. I did mention the super busy-ness of this week, right?

5. My trainer righteously kicked my ass this evening! For serious, I don't think there's a part of my body that is not sore. Also, FYI: hot trainer sporting wood during your training session? Distracting!

Happy Saturday, everyone! It's sunny and beautiful outside. Such a gorgeous day calls for a Happy List!

1. I had a lovely night with The Lovely Nieces last night. I took them to see Monsters v. Aliens, and while Rhyan was only interested in eating fistfuls of popcorn (seriously, she dug into the bag of popcorn with BOTH HANDS!), Rianna really liked the movie. Good times!

2. I just had a kick-ass workout with the Trainer Dude that included about 20 minutes of new boxing combinations. I feel fierce! \o/

3. Watching some of the NFL Draft. Seriously, can Mark Sanchez be any more adorable??? I think the title of Best Dimples of the NFL has just passed from Hines Ward to Mark!

4. Baseball tonight!!! I'll be heading out to Chase Field soon to see the D'backs and the Giants. Randy Johnson is starting for the Giants. It still makes me weep a little on the inside to see him in black and orange, but it'll be good to see him do his thing. Seriously, though, my boys need to get it together already. *shakes head* I'm sure that me being there cheering them on will make ALL the difference today! *beams*

1. I managed to make it through the day and NOT stab my client! No, really, this was an ACCOMPLISHMENT! But, even better, was the TWO HOUR NAP I took when I got home!!!

2. Light rail employees were giving out Valentine's day cards and chocolate this morning as we piled on the train for the morning commute. Admittedly, the chocolate kiss wasn't the most nutritious of breakfasts, but it made me SMILE!

3. Today I'm sore from my shoulder blades to my ass and quads, and while soreness isn't normally happy-making, it makes the list because it reminds me of the kick-ass workout I had yesterday with the new Trainer!Boy. So many squats! And boxing! I love the boxing! It's SO cathartic to just hit something!

4. Pitchers and catchers report in 15 HOURS AND 6 MINUTES!!!! Spring training is HERE!!!!!!!!! *flails wildly* Anyone wanna plan on catching some spring training games with me?

5. Lots of awesome new t.v. tonight!!! New Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles!!! Friday Night Lights!!! And Dollhouse premiers tonight!!!

In other news, I'm glad to hear that folks are heading out to see Friday the 13th, because I'm all for supporting the boys' work, but I just don't think I can! I barely made it through My Bloody Valentine and that was with food and alcohol at the Drafthouse to distract me from the gore on the screen. I just don't DO horror flicks. So, while I wish him every success, I don't think I'm going to be contributing to that success myself. Sorry Jared! I still love you (even though I really don't like those new pictures of you -- please step away from the eyeliner)!

And, finally, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, dellastarr!!! ♥ I hope your day was full of things that make you happy and I hope the year ahead bring all manner of unexpected blessings your way!